Welcoming Each Other
After briefly introducing themselves, the penitent may say:
Bless me, Father, for I have sinned.
The priest and the penitent make the Sign of the Cross:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
R/ : Amen.
The penitent may begin with the prayer:
I confess to almighty God,
and to you, my brothers and sisters,
that I have greatly sinned
through my thoughts and in my words,
in what I have done, and in what I have
failed to do;
through my fault, through my fault,
through my most grievous fault;
therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin,
all the Angels and Saints,
and you, my brothers and sister,
to pray for me to the Lord our God.
Listening to the Word of God
The penitent may read a few verses from the Bible that shed light on their journey, for example:
- Blessed is the man whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered! Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit! I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. (Psalm 31)
- Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. (Psalm 50)
- When the shepherd finds the lost sheep, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders, and when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying, “Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost!” I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. (Luke 15:4-7)
- My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. (1 John 2:1-2)
Confessing the Love of God Alongside Our Sin
In the light of God’s infinite love, the penitent simply acknowledges their sins without trying to justify themselves. At the end of the confession, they may say:
For all these sins, I ask pardon from God, and from you, my Father, penance and absolution.
The priest, a witness of mercy, encourages and strengthens the one who recognizes their faults with contrition. He proposes a gesture of conversion and penance: prayer, sharing, efforts to step outside oneself, one’s habits, and, above all, service to others.
Receiving God’s Forgiveness to Witness It to All
ACT OF CONTRITION
O my God,
I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee,
and I detest all my sins because of thy just punishments,
but most of all because they offend Thee, my God,
who art all good and deserving of all my love.
I firmly resolve with the help of Thy grace
to sin no more and to avoid the near occasion of sin.
Or:
My God,
I am sorry for my sins with all my heart.
In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good,
I have sinned against you whom I should love above all things.
I firmly intend, with your help, to do penance,
to sin no more,
and to avoid whatever leads me to sin.
Our Savior Jesus Christ suffered and died for us.
In his name, my God, have mercy.
Words of Absolution
Afterward, the priest, with hands extended, says the prayer:
God, the Father of mercies,
through the death and resurrection of his Son
has reconciled the world to himself
and sent the Holy Spirit
among us for the forgiveness of sins;
through the ministry of the Church
may God give you pardon and peace,
and I absolve you from your sins
in the name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.
R/ : Amen.
He may add:
May the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
and of all the saints,
whatever good you do and suffering you endure,
heal your sins,
help you to grow in holiness,
and reward you with eternal life.
Praise of God and Sending
At the end of the celebration, the priest says:
Go in the peace and joy of Christ.
R/ : Blessed be God, now and forever.
